The story of the healing by the pool shows a problem of religiosity. According to Miriam-Webster, religiosity is intense, excessive, or fervent religiousness. [1] John 5: 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”
11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”
12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. [2]
Hearts Revealed
Technically, carrying a mat on the Sabbath did not break Old Testament law; it broke the extra rules the Pharisees added. Years earlier, God had exiled Israel because they had failed to follow His laws. When they returned to Jerusalem after exile, the leadership added extra rules so people could not break God’s rules. Unfortunately, this took their focus off a relationship with God and kept them focused on their rules.
Something like carrying a mat was only allowed if a life was in immediate danger. This man had been ill for thirty-eight years, and one more day probably would not have made a difference. Yet, Jesus chose to heal on the Sabbath to reveal the hearts of the Jewish leadership.
These men could not rejoice at a miracle of healing. They were religious bigots who did not tolerate any deviation from their rules and had no compassion for the people they led. Although it did not happen often, these leaders could have stoned the healed man for breaking their law.
Relationship not Ritual
Relationship is defined as a connection or association, a kinship, being related by blood.[3] We have a relationship with Jesus because He paid the price for our sins on the cross. Ephesians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ… 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.[4]
Relationships are time-consuming, and many people find it easier to follow rules. This was the case with the Jewish leadership in our story and still continues today. But we can’t be saved by rules or rituals. Ephesians 2: 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [5]
While religious rituals aren’t sinful, they can never save us. If they take our focus off Jesus, rituals can be damaging. Only our connection to Jesus as our Savior and Lord can save us. To learn about the problem of religiosity, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/healing-at-a-pool
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religiosity, accessed April 3, 2024.
[2,4,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] https://www.wordnik.com/words/relationship, accessed April 3, 2024.